There has been a reported large increase of the disease in the Greater Manchester area, with 32 confirmed cases in the last three months, reports Manchester Evening News.

Health bosses are worried that the disease could spread across the UK and are urging parents to make sure their children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

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Dr Kristina Poole, Consultant in Health Protection at PHE North West, said: "Over the last three months we have seen a large increase in confirmed cases of measles across Greater Manchester.

"This is of concern as measles is a very infectious virus and the majority of the cases are in unvaccinated children.

"Measles can spread rapidly among communities if people have not been fully immunised.

"While most people who catch measles will recover completely within a couple of weeks, it's important to remember measles can be a very serious illness that can leave permanent disability, and occasionally even kill.

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"MMR not only protects them, but also limits the chances of the virus spreading more widely, for example to children who are too young to have the vaccine and to adults who may be more vulnerable to the disease.